Carrier



C. F. THOMAS May 4, 1965 CARRIER Filed Nov. 13, 1962 /A/VENTO? CAUD F. THOMAS, E ,fmw

HTT RNE United States Patent O 3,181,704 CARRIER Claud F. Thomas, 6329 Pineeld Road, Columbia, S.C. Filed Nov. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 237,117 2 Claims. (Cl. 211-126) The present invention relates generally to devices for transporting items, and more particularly to a novel device for carrying one or more containers for owers, or the like, in upright position.

There has long been the need for a carrying device for containers having adequate capacity for various shaped containers required to be moved in upright positions, as flower arrangements, and having means for maintaining the containers in upright positions. It has been dicult to transport arrangements of flowers in the back of cars, for example. Cartons and boxes have been used, but generally vases overturn, unless packed with paper, cartons become soaked and disintegrate, or other mishap occurs, as damage to the car from a rough box.

Hence, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel container carrier which supplies the long-felt need above set forth.

In brief, the present container carrier includes a base plate of any suitable material which, for a carrier of multiple spaces, is preferably rectangular in shape, although this may vary. Four spaces or compartments of truncated wedge-shape are dened on the base plate by railings which are supported above the base plate by suitable posts. Adjustable chains are movably connected to selected railings for selective engagement with securing means for maintaining containers in position.

Hence, another object is to provide a novel container carrier which is adapted to transport one or a number of containers in secured upright position.

Another object is to provide a novel container carrier of the kind heretofore mentioned which can be placed on the oor of a car, truck or other place, for safe transportation of flower arrangements, or the like.

Another object is to provide a novel container carrier which can be easily manipulated in securing containers in place and in releasing containers for removal.

Another object is to provide a novel container carrier which is of strong construction so that it can be used to transport ower arrangements, o1' the like, indefinitely without repair or maintenance.

Another object is to provide a novel container carrier which is relatively inexpensive.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a plan view of a container carrier constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side view thereof looking upwardly at FIGURE 1, the chain assemblies and screws along the angularly disposed railings being omitted for purposes of clarity;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary plan view on an enlarged scale of the lower left corner of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross-sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view illustrating engagement of a chain length with a screwhead;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional View taken on substantially the line 6-6 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 7 is a view of a chain assembly, partly in cross section, links being broken away for conservation yof space.

3,181,794 Patented May 4, 1965 Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, 10 indicates generally a container carrier constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The container carrier 10 includes a fiat base plate 12 which may be of plywood, plastic, or other selected material and which rests on rubber cup feet 13 mounted therebeneath by means detailed below. Parallel end railings 14 and central railing 16 are mounted on posts 17 secured to the base plate 12 by bolts 18 and nuts 19, as shown, said railings 14 and 16 being spaced about three inches from the base plate 12 in a preferred embodiment. Similarly mounted are two angularly disposed railings 20 which have spaced screws 22 along the top. The railings 20 may be of square or other cross section and the screws 22 replaced by a sliding washer type member having a chain slot which is frictionally secured in selected position. As illustrated, each of the railings 14, 16 and 20 is formed from a section of dowling of round cross section, but the cross section may be square, or otherwise; the top of each post 17 is concave on the radius of the railings to snugly receive the same. Short metal tubes 23 flattened at the ends are secured by screws 24 to the ends of the railings 14, 16 and 20, as is clearly shown in the drawings. A sleeve 25 of rubber or plastic is disposed about each tube 23. The five railings 14, 16 and 2t) and the tubes 23 define four compartments 28 of truste-wedge configuration, each of which is open at the top and at the larger end.

A securing chain assembly 26 is provided for each coinpartment 23, each of which includes a mounting ring 29, a tension spring 3l), and a plurality of links 32 of a size to slip over the heads of the screws 22, a finger ring 33, and a container protective sleeve 34 of rubber or plastic. Preferably, the rings 29 are solid Washers, or the like, having sharp edges that frictionally bite into the railings 14 and 16 to hold the rings 29 in selected positions. As is clear from the drawing, one ring 29 is mounted on each railing 14 and two rings 29 are mounted on the railing 16. A selected link 32 of each chain assembly 26 may be readily slipped over the head or" the screw 22 which will render the particular chain assembly 26 taut enough to maintain containers 35 in position.

It will be noted that the compartments 28 are frusto wedge-shaped. This permits vases of various sizes to be placed in a compartment 28, slipped towards the narrow part thereof, and wedged in upright position by the ap` propriate chain assembly 26. Several containers 35 of suitable shapes may be secured in a single compartment 28, or a single container 35 may be disposed therein, as shown in FIGURE l.

The base plate 12, the railings 14, 16 and 20 and the posts 17 are illustrated as of wood, but any suitable material, preferably lightweight, as aluminum, may be used.

It is manifest that there has been provided a container carrier which fullls the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination, a portable carrier for transporting vases of flowers, and the like, comprising a base adapted to receive one or more units in supported relation thereon, a plurality of railings supported on said base, said railings being spaced from said base and being positioned References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Watson 211-76 Feerick 211-71 Herbaini. 248-206 X 'Mathiessen 24S-361 X VJacldin 248-146 Ewers 211-72 I0 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. Y 

1. IN COMBINATION, A PORTABLE CARRIER FOR TRANSPORTING VASES OF FLOWERS, AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING A BASE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE ONE OR MORE UNITS IN SUPPORTED RELATION THEREON, A PLURALITY OF RAILINGS SUPPORTED ON SAID BASE, SAID RAILINGS BEING SPACED FROM SAID BASE AND BEING POSITIONED TO DEFINE A PLURALITY OF COMPARTMENTS HAVING CONVERGING SIDES AND OPEN AT THE LARGER ENDS, FLEXIBLE MEMBERS FOR CLOSING THE OPEN ENDS OF THE COMPARTMENTS, AND MEANS ON CERTAIN RAILINGS TO ANCHOR ONE END OF A FLEXIBLE MEMBER, THE OTHER END OF EACH FLEXIBLE MEMBER BEING MOUNTED ON A RAILING FORM MOVEMENT THEREALONG. 